Category Archives: Maryland

More resort fees at MGM; Sands Bethlehem sold?

Posted on March 3, 2017 by David McKee

It was show time for the big boys at the J.P. Morgan Gaming, Lodging, Restaurant & Leisure Management Access Forum, starting with MGM Resorts International, which had to get started by explaining why fourth-quarter numbers had been “coming in well below … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Japan, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

MGM lands big fish; Black-market casino busted in Georgia

Posted on February 16, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International took it on the chops from Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, who said of 4Q16 results that they “were undoubtedly surprising, in the wrong direction in this instance as property EBITDA fell well short of forecasts, most … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Donald Trump, Dubai, Georgia, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Regulation, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sports betting a political football; Lucky Dragon doing just fine

Posted on February 10, 2017 by David McKee

Lawmakers in Maryland are entering the fray over sports betting. Unlike their counterparts in New Jersey, they’re not challenging the federal government directly. The proposed law, as drafted, would make sports betting legal in the Free State *if* the Bradley … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Delaware, Dining, Donald Trump, Georgia, GLPI, Harrah's, Hawaii, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Philippines, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Singapore, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

MGM National Harbor a hit with players; Fertitta talks a good game

Posted on February 7, 2017 by David McKee

Given its high profile, MGM National Harbor had to hit a home run for MGM Resorts International and, judging by the numbers, it’s done just that. Last month it grossed $49 million, which — when the numbers are adjusted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Downtown, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Adelson out of stadium deal; Tepid December on Strip

Posted on January 31, 2017 by David McKee

It didn’t take long for Sandoval’s Folly, the mooted [your city here] Raiders stadium to blow up in the governor’s face. With characteristic irascibility, Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson withdrew from the project, taking his $650 million with him. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Cordish Co., Cretins, Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, GLPI, Harrah's, Horseracing, Japan, Laughlin, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Maryland: Playing the blame game; Island casinos confront Trump

Posted on January 25, 2017 by David McKee

As might be expected, MGM National Harbor‘s opening strapped a jet pack on Maryland casino revenues for December, which came in at $133.5 million, easily surpassing last May’s then-record $104 million. Wagering — as opposed to win — per slot … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Maine, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Slot routes, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Lukewarm Christmas in Louisiana; New casino for Indiana?

Posted on January 20, 2017 by David McKee

Despite an extra weekend in December, Louisiana gaming revenues were only modestly up, +4%, although gambling fever sure gripped Baton Rouge, where casinos won 14% more than last year. New Orleans has fallen to a distant third ($47 million) as … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Dan Lee, Florida, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Caesars liberated from bankruptcy; Wynn pitches tantrum

Posted on January 19, 2017 by David McKee

It’s not the end, nor the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning for the Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy, to paraphrase Winston Churchill. So protracted has the bankruptcy been that its quiet resolution comes as an anticlimax.”I’ve never … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Georgia, Harrah's, International, Japan, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Politics, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

MGM’s big rake in Washington; Resort projects power Massachusetts

Posted on January 18, 2017 by David McKee

It should come as no surprise that Washington, D.C., the land of smoke-filled rooms where sleazy deals are made, should be deliver a bumper crop of players to MGM National Harbor‘s 39-table poker room. Even with a truncated month of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Singapore, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tourism, Vietnam, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Trump: The Fix is In; Battle of Gettysburg III

Posted on January 16, 2017 by David McKee

Gaming executives who are buddies with Donald Trump just got a rude surprise when attorney general nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) said he was “shocked” by the 2011 reinterpretation of the Wire Act, whereby Internet gaming became legal. This sets … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off

National Harbor boffo for MGM; Icahn keeps them guessing

Posted on January 6, 2017 by David McKee

In its first month, MGM National Harbor has been both good and bad for Maryland. Although the MGM Resorts International property, acclaimed by some as being Las Vegas Strip-caliber, did blockbuster numbers, the rest of the Maryland casino industry was … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Cordish Co., Glenn Straub, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Revel, Slot routes, Taxes, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Wall Street | 2 Comments

What the Lucky Dragon means; National Harbor lifts all boats

Posted on December 9, 2016 by David McKee

The good Dr. David G. Schwartz ponders the significance of Lucky Dragon Casino and begins with one salient milestone: “Lucky Dragon is the first genuinely new property to open in the tourist corridor since The Cosmopolitan six years ago.” That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Donald Trump, Genting, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, Japan, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Racinos lap casinos in Ohio; “Golden Knights” kiboshed

Posted on December 9, 2016 by David McKee

Ohio‘s four main casinos performed weakly last month, with Dan Gilbert‘s Jack Cleveland ($16 million, -4%) and Jack Cincinnati ($15 million, -7%) still not validating their new brand. Ironically, the once-superfluous Thistledown Racino is saving Jack’s bacon, up 13% to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Taxes | Comments Off

Running the tables in Pennsylvania; MGM woos Georgia (again)

Posted on December 5, 2016 by David McKee

Due to Pennsylvania‘s quirky habit of releasing slot and table game revenue numbers in staggered fashion, we don’t often comment on Keystone State gambling revenues. Fortunately, the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV consolidates the information into one handy-dandy report. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Aristocrat, Australia, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Georgia, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Hooters, Isle of Capri, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, SLS Las Vegas, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off

(Pot) Smoke gets in their eyes; Enter the Lucky Dragon

Posted on November 21, 2016 by David McKee

Just say “No.” That’s what Nevada gaming regulators are advising casinos who might be tempted to take advantage of the new legality of recreational marijuana in the Silver State. Bowing to federal law, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Cordish Co., Downtown, Environment, Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Lucky Dragon, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Trump Taj saves Atlantic City; Barrack resurfaces; Visiting Memory Lane

Posted on November 17, 2016 by David McKee

When we rounded up Atlantic City gaming numbers yesterday, we didn’t get into market-adjusted comparisons and thus buried the lead. The Boardwalk’s surviving casinos saw, on average, a 6% increase in gaming revenue, thanks to the Oct. 10 closing of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Cirque du Soleil, Colony Capital, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, history, Internet gambling, Japan, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, PokerStars, Regulation, Revel, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, West Virginia, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Florida: Scott loses, big time; Coup d’etat in Atlantic City

Posted on November 11, 2016 by David McKee

Fourteen more years. That’s how long the Seminole Tribe can have exclusive rights to blackjack in Florida, thanks to a ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle. It’s a huge win for the Seminoles and not entirely unforeseen, given how … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Georgia, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Rhode Island, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Pennsylvania lawmakers screw the pooch; Adelson’s way or the highway

Posted on October 28, 2016 by David McKee

Pennsylvania communities are scrambling to reach voluntary revenue-sharing accords with the casinos they host after the Legislature left the issue in limbo. Rather than address the host-community fee on its own, the House of Representatives tacked on approval of Internet … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Environment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology | Comments Off

Local is beautiful; Adelson loses partner

Posted on October 10, 2016 by David McKee

Motley Fool columnist Travis Hoium says investors are missing a good bet if they overlook Las Vegas locals operators to focus on the big Las Vegas Strip players. He cites Station Casinos, Boyd Gaming and Penn National Gaming (presumably for … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, history, Law enforcement, M Resort, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Palms, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Pittsburgh pleads with Rivers Casino; Strong numbers from Maryland, Illinois

Posted on October 7, 2016 by David McKee

Pittsburgh is essentially saying “Pretty please” to Rush Street Gaming‘s Rivers Casino, begging the latter to keep voluntarily paying $10 million a year to the city, even though Rush Street is no longer under any legal obligation to do so. Pittsburgh Finance … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 6 Comments